by SJ McCoy
Mason gave Ruby a stern look. “Do we talk when we’re having a riding lesson?”
Ruby hung her head. “Only when you ask a question.”
Mason grinned at Beau again. Apparently he had somehow managed to tame the mini demon. For his part, Beau would rather just avoid her.
“He’s out behind the barn,” said Mason. “I was thinking I might take him out myself, since you can’t get out here that often.”
Beau nodded. It wasn’t a criticism, he knew that. Mason just liked to look out for the horses, make sure they weren’t left out to graze without proper exercise for too long. It sure felt like criticism though.
Mason pushed his shoulder. “Don’t look like that. I’m glad you’re here to take him. He rides better for you than anyone else. You’re his very own human.”
Beau’s smile returned at that. Mason sure knew how to handle him. He usually managed to push all the right buttons to keep him smiling.
“Can I come?” Ruby asked again.
Mason gave her the same stern look.
“But I want to go with Beau!” This time she didn’t back down.
Mason shook his head. “How about you wait here with Beau a minute while I just run inside?” He looked at Beau. “I’ll be right back.”
Beau could hardly refuse, much as he’d like to. He climbed over the fence and took hold of the lead rein.
“This is Gypsy,” said Ruby.
Beau nodded. He’d rather not engage in conversation if he could avoid it. He started walking, leading Gypsy and her mini rider around the arena. It beat standing around and hopefully would keep Ruby quiet.
“My mommy…”
Beau turned to look at her with what he hoped was the same stern look Mason had used. “Do we talk while we’re having a riding lesson?”
Ruby’s eyebrows knit together and her bottom lip started to slide out. Oh, shit! All the warning signs of a storm about to hit.
“That’s right. We don’t. Good girl.” He turned back and urged Gypsy into a trot, hoping that would avert disaster. It did.
Mason came back out from the barn and smiled as he let himself into the arena. “Good job, Ruby. You’re doing great!”
That brought a smile back to her face. Beau led her back to Mason and handed over the lead rein. “There. I’m out of here.”
Mason laughed. “Coward.”
Beau tipped his hat with a grin. “That’d be me! See ya!”
He let himself out of the arena and started walking back to the barn. Then he stopped in his tracks. Could it be? There was a woman walking down the path from the lodge toward him. A very beautiful woman. Either his eyes were playing tricks on him or it really was Beautiful Woman.
He held his breath as he watched her approach. Her stride faltered as she recognized him, too. Then she continued toward him, her beautiful smile causing that dimple to deepen. Man! She was gorgeous.
“Hello again,” she said when she reached him, her voice slid over him, wrapped him in its warmth and, if he wasn’t mistaken, slipped its fingers inside his pants for a moment.
“Hello.” That was all he had? Hello? He really had to up his game here.
“Thank you for the wine. You really shouldn’t have, though.”
He shrugged.
“Look at meeee!” For God’s sake. All he needed was Ruby ruining this for him. He was making enough of a mess of it by himself. Then a thought struck him. He didn’t want Beautiful Woman thinking that the kid was his! He didn’t want her to think he was an asshole either. He turned to look. “Good job, Ruby. You’re doing great.” So what if he had to borrow Mason’s words? The only ones he could come up with himself weren’t the kind he could say out loud to a five year old!
He turned back to Beautiful Woman, she was smiling. Apparently impressed by his ability to appease the monster. He smiled back. “She’s not mine.”
He couldn’t figure out the look on Beautiful’s face, she was still smiling, but there was something strange in her eyes. “No?”
He shook his head. “Hell, no. I don’t have kids.”
“You don’t like kids?”
Oh, shit. Was he walking himself into an ambush here? He shrugged. “I don’t really know many.” Hopefully that was an acceptable out.
“Except Ruby?”
He nodded. “Yeah, and she’s a monster. She gives kids a bad name.”
“I see.”
The look on that beautiful face said he had well and truly blown it. That was hardly fair though, was it? They’d known each other for a grand total of five minutes. Surely she couldn’t be judging him on his parental potential already? Time to change the subject. He held his hand out. “I guess we’ve made it to the stage where we should introduce ourselves. I’m Beau.”
She nodded and shook his hand briefly. Her smile was still there, but it was merely polite now. “It’s nice to meet you, Beau. I’m Corinne.” She raised an eyebrow, apparently waiting for some reaction. Should he know her name for some reason?
She sighed. “Ruby’s mom.”
He could feel the blood drain from his face. He didn’t know which was worse: the fact that he’d just told this beautiful woman that her daughter gave kids a bad name, or the fact that she was the two-foot tyrant’s mother. He nodded. He didn’t have any words.
She pursed her lips and nodded back at him. She wasn’t happy. Not happy at all.
“Well, it was nice meeting you.” He tipped his hat at her and beat a hasty retreat to the barn. Wonderful! Just wonderful. Wasn’t that just his luck? He took his hat off and ran his hand through his hair. The most beautiful woman he’d ever met and she had to be the mother of the brat! He blew out a big sigh. “Fuck it!” He muttered under his breath.
“Are you okay?” Summer popped her head out from one of the stalls.
What the hell? Was everyone out here today?
He nodded. “I’ll survive.”
She came out and closed the door behind her. “Are you sure? You sounded pretty upset. What is it?”
Beau shrugged. He wasn’t into talking about his problems, or his personal life, with anyone. If he was he might start with Summer. She was good people. She had a kind heart. She seemed like she cared about everyone, even him. He smiled. “It’s nothing. Really. I just messed up. I made a fool of myself.”
She gave him an inquiring look.
He shook his head. “Explaining it would be reliving it, and I’m still cringing from the first time.”
She laughed. “I know how that goes.”
Beau couldn’t believe that, but it was sweet of her to say it. “Anyway. It’s good to see you. I’m just on my way out to get to Troy.”
“Okay. Have fun.”
“Thanks.” He made his way down the aisle of stalls, headed for the back door. He’d almost reached it when Summer called after him.
“Oh, and Beau. Dinner’s at our place this week. Wednesday. Can you make it?”
“I’ll be there. Thanks, Summer.” He went out through the door with a smile on his face. At least that was something to look forward. He enjoyed the family dinners they’d been taking turns to host. He was feeling closer to his brothers than he had in years. He’d even hosted himself one week. Of course all the girls had helped. It had been fun.
He spotted Troy grazing down by the creek. He whistled and smiled as Troy’s head came up and he looked around. When he saw Beau he gave a loud neigh and came cantering over. That made Beau smile. Troy hadn’t forgotten him, though he had every right to. He came and butted his shoulder, then snuffled around his pocket. Beau hadn’t forgotten either. He pulled out one of Troy’s favorite mints. “There you go, old fella.”
Troy crunched the mint then lifted his head and peeled his lips back looking for all the world as if he was laughing. Beau laughed with him. He had to laugh. What else could he do? He’d just blown his chances with Beautiful, from now on to be known as Corinne, mother of the monster. He may as well laugh, saddle up his old buddy and get out into t
he back country for a few hours.
~ ~ ~
Corinne walked down to the arena with a heavy lump of disappointment lodged in her stomach. What could she expect? Her tall, dark stranger was heavy on the good-looking. And good-looking guys never seemed to like kids. Why would they? They could have their pick of all the young, pretty girls who came with no strings and no complications. She shook her head. It wasn’t even that. Yes, she found him attractive, but he was a no-go anyway. It was his obvious dislike for Ruby that hurt her. Ruby was a good kid. Okay, so she was strong-willed. That was a good thing. Beau had said she gave kids a bad name! That was a horrible thing to say about any child. She reached the fence and sighed.
“Look at meeee, Mommy!” Ruby called again as Mason led her around the far side of the arena at a trot.
Corinne smiled. Ruby looked so happy. Screw Beau Remington! The guy must have a heart of stone not to find her adorable.
Mason smiled and led the pony over to where Corinne was standing. They stopped when they reached her.
“I’m a natural,” said Ruby with a big grin. “Mr. Mason said so.”
Corinne grinned back.
“What’s a natural?”
Mason laughed. “It means you ride like someone who was born to ride.”
Ruby nodded solemnly. “I was born to ride. I love Gypsy. I love riding. Riding is my new favorite thing in the whole world. I’m going to ride every day now.”
Corinne exchanged a look with Mason. That wasn’t going to be possible. Corinne wasn’t going to have either the time or the money to make it happen.
Mason smiled. “Not every day, Ruby, no. But sometimes, if your mom tells me you’ve been a really good girl, then you can have a lesson.”
“I’m always good.”
Mason gave her a stern look.
“Sometimes. I’ll be good all the time if you let me ride Gypsy.”
Mason caught Corinne’s eye and she gave him a grateful smile. It seemed he’d already figured out how to handle her daughter and get the best out of her. It was a pity his brother…No. She had to stop that line of thought before she got started with it.
“Well, I’ll be checking in with your mom. So you’d better be good, okay?”
“I will.”
“Okay. Do you remember how to dismount?”
Ruby nodded and put both reins in one hand before sliding her feet out of the stirrups. She swung one leg over behind the saddle and slid down to the ground. Corinne had to smile, she really did look like a natural.
“Good job!” said Mason.
Ruby grinned at him before turning to Corinne. “Some people leave one foot in the stirrup to help them climb down. Around here we don’t do that, just in case the pony moves away. We don’t want to fall and get dragged along by our foot.”
Corinne wanted to laugh. It was obvious she was reciting word for word what Mason had told her.
Mason grinned. “I couldn’t have put it better myself. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take Gypsy in and get back to work.”
“Thank you so much,” said Corinne. “What do I owe you?”
Mason shook his head firmly. “Not a thing. If Ruby’s going to live here, she needs to know how to ride. He tipped his head back and looked out at her from under the brim of his hat. “You should, too.”
That took her by surprise. “Oh. I…”
He smiled. “You can join Ruby’s lessons if you want to.”
“I don’t know if I’ll get time. I need to see how the job is going to work out. But, thank you.”
Mason nodded. “We’ll work something out.”
“Thanks again. Come on, Ruby. We need to go, and Mr. Mason needs to get back to work.”
Mason started to walk away, but Ruby tugged on his sleeve. He looked down at her with a smile.
“Thank you, Mr. Mason. I had fun.”
Corinne was relieved that she hadn’t forgotten her manners.
“You’re welcome, I had fun too.”
The smile on Ruby’s face melted Corinne’s heart. She didn’t think she’d ever seen her daughter look so happy. As she smiled up at Mason she crooked her finger and beckoned him to come down to her level. Corinne thought her heart might overflow when Mason bent down to her and she planted a kiss on his cheek. He straightened up with a big grin on his face. Apparently even broody and commanding could be melted by her daughter. Even if tall, dark, and handsome couldn’t. Oh, well. At least Ruby was winning over one Remington brother. One of the two most important ones, since Mason and Shane were the ones she’d be around the most.
Ruby took hold of her hand as they walked back up the path. “I saw Beau.”
“So did I.” Corinne didn’t like the idea of Ruby being so enamored with a guy who didn’t like her. “And you had a good time riding with Mason?”
Ruby nodded. “Yes. I like Mr. Mason.”
“I do too.”
“I like Beau more though.”
Corinne sighed.
“You don’t like him? Do you like Mr. Mason better?”
“I don’t really know him. I like Mr. Mason because he’s been kind to you. And to me.”
“Beau’s kind, too.”
“He is?”
Ruby nodded sagely. “He’s a good guy. He’s just got his head up his ass.”
“Ruby!” Corinne was caught between the urge to laugh and shock at hearing her daughter say such a thing.
Ruby shrugged. “That’s what Cassidy said.”
Corinne bit back a smile. She could just imagine that. Cassidy wouldn’t be one to bite her lip, and she didn’t come across as someone who was used to being around little kids—or watching what she said when she was. “Maybe so, but you know you shouldn’t repeat what you hear people say.”
Ruby simply shrugged again. They carried on walking in silence for a few minutes and were almost back to the cabin before she looked up and asked. “What does it mean?”
“What does what mean?”
“That he’s got his head up his ass?”
Corinne wanted to laugh again. “Well, first of all that’s a word you shouldn’t be using.”
“Ass?”
“Yes, that one.”
“But what does it mean?”
“An ass is like a donkey.”
“Oh! I thought it meant his butt! But how could he get his head up there?”
Corinne did let out a little chuckle at that, she couldn’t help it. There was no pulling the wool over Ruby’s eyes.
Those eyes widened as Ruby pondered. “So he’s got his head up his donkey’s butt?”
“No! It’s just a saying. It’s not real.”
“But what does it mean?”
“It means that…” Corinne had to think what it really did mean. “It means he’s not always aware of the people around him. Or of how he affects them with the things he does.”
“Does that mean he’s mean?”
“No. I don’t think so. Just that he might seem mean even when he’s not trying to be.” Corinne considered her own words along with Ruby. It was insight into Beau’s character that she wouldn’t have had. So maybe he wasn’t trying to be mean about Ruby before he knew he was talking to her mother. She sighed. What did it matter anyway? And besides, apparently he had his head up his ass. Just one more reason that she should steer well clear of him—in case the fact that he didn’t like her daughter wasn’t enough!
Chapter Four
Beau jumped down from Troy and patted his neck. They’d been out for a couple of hours and it had done them both good. He took the saddle off and carried it into the tack room. Troy followed and waited at the door for him. He came back and slid the bridle off, too. He’d never liked to tie Troy up. He wasn’t going to wander off; he always waited patiently and followed Beau around like a dog. Troy was the one person he did trust, even if he was a horse.
Beau came back and gave him a mint before he started to brush him down. Troy turned to watch and tried to nibble his butt, making
him laugh. “Would you quit that, buddy?” He straightened up and came back to rub his nose.
“He’s telling you he missed you.”
Beau hadn’t spotted Mason standing in the shadows. He smiled. “I’ve missed him, too. I just didn’t realize how much till I got out here.”
“You should get out here more. It’d do you good.”
He nodded. “You’re right.”
“Wow. No arguments? No telling me that you don’t like to be around here?”
That took Beau by surprise. He was normally the one to go there while Mason tried to steer clear of the touchy subjects.
“Not today, Mase, no. Today’s a good day. I don’t want to argue. I want to enjoy being here. And besides he’s not even around. Maybe that’s why I feel more comfortable.” That last part wasn’t true at all. He hadn’t even given Chance a thought until now. He couldn’t resist making the dig though.
Mason shook his head. “Why can’t you just let it go? He’s never done a damned thing to you.”
Beau clenched his jaw. His fist curled into a ball at his side. Then he deliberately relaxed. “I’m trying. I know you’re right. But it’s hard.”
“Why? What’s so hard about it? I don’t get it. I never have.”
Beau shrugged. He wasn’t sure he got it either. Why did he resent Chance so much? Their dad had brought Chance to the ranch when Beau was still a teenager. Chance had done a stint in prison. He had some murky, tragic past and their dad had wanted to give him a second chance. He was a great guy like that. Beau loved that about him. He liked to help people improve their lives, improve themselves. He was ashamed to admit it, but he’d been jealous of Chance. He worshipped his dad and had spent his childhood doing whatever he could to try to impress him. To win his love, his approval, his affection. It just didn’t seem fair to him that he’d worked so hard to earn all of that from his own father, while Chance had screwed up his own life and still benefitted from Dave Remington’s love and generosity.
“Sorry,” said Mason. “I don’t want to push it. Not when you’re out here to enjoy yourself for once. I guess I’m just getting antsy about the whole deal with the wedding coming up. I know you don’t like the idea of me and Gina taking over the big house. To be honest, it weirds me out. It belongs to all of us.”